Khorezm Region Emerges as a Tourism Powerhouse with Launch of “Arda Khiva” Complex
Khorezm, The Gulf Observer: Efforts to unlock the tourism potential of the Khorezm region are producing remarkable results, as evidenced by a dramatic increase in foreign tourist visits and exponential growth in tourism service exports.
According to recent data, the number of foreign visitors to the region has increased thirtyfold compared to seven or eight years ago. Reflecting the positive trajectory of the tourism sector, Khorezm’s tourism service exports surged from $7 million in 2017 to an impressive $380 million in 2024.
Traditionally, Khorezm’s tourism has centered on Ichan Kala, the UNESCO-listed inner town of Khiva. However, recent years have seen a diversification of tourist offerings. Over forty new tourist routes have been established, expanding the total to one hundred, showcasing the region’s cultural, historical, and natural richness beyond its iconic landmarks.
A significant milestone in this transformation is the inauguration of the “Arda Khiva” tourist complex, which took place during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to the region. Designed as a city within the ancient city, Arda Khiva merges historical aesthetics with contemporary architecture, creating a unique and immersive experience for visitors.
Constructed on 25 hectares of previously underutilized, saline land, the complex borders the 150-hectare Lake Govuk. The surrounding area is being developed into green recreational zones, further enhancing the site’s attractiveness.
President Mirziyoyev toured the complex, reviewed its facilities, and engaged with artisans and local youth. He visited exhibitions featuring traditional crafts and decorative arts, and explored the bustling Eastern bazaar within the site.
The Arda Khiva complex offers comprehensive amenities to accommodate up to 3 million tourists annually. It includes 20 hotels with a combined capacity of 1,000 guests, an aqua park, amusement rides, a 3,000-seat amphitheater, and a musical fountain. Additional attractions include 11 artisan houses built in a historical style, an oriental market, the “Ancient Urgench” museum, and scenic gondola rides along a two-kilometer canal.
For entertainment and leisure, the complex boasts five cinemas and concert halls, restaurants, a jewelry center, shopping arcades, and a jet ski zone. Modern infrastructure includes a centralized heating and cooling system and solar panels, underscoring the project’s commitment to sustainability. Over 2,000 jobs have been created through the initiative.
While Ichan Kala remains the historical face of Khiva, Arda Khiva is rapidly establishing itself as the region’s modern hallmark, symbolizing the synergy between heritage and innovation.
During his visit, President Mirziyoyev also met with young people from Khorezm, emphasizing the importance of spiritual and cultural legacy in nation-building. “Natural resources are finite and eventually deplete. But our ancestors left us a great spiritual heritage and monumental legacies that have served the people for centuries. We must use this wealth for the benefit of our country,” he stated. “Much has already been accomplished, but even more lies ahead. I believe in you, the youth. If you strive for excellence, pursue knowledge, and master modern professions, we will certainly achieve our goals.”
The meeting included discussions on students’ academic progress, their aspirations, and their vision for the future, highlighting the region’s human capital as a cornerstone of its ongoing development.
